When Bill Picard told friends he wanted to perform stand-up comedy, they said he was nuts. After all, how does a guy with cerebral palsy perform?

He showed them.

Picard, who has trouble speaking, survived the tense moments when he rolled onto the stage in an electric wheelchair, communicating with the use of a computer that translates his typed words into a voice of his choosing. Soon, he developed an act that showcased his own silly humor. He has performed clubs around New England and is planning a Nov. 27 show to benefit Lewiston High School’s prom and Project Graduation.

Name: Bill Picard

Age: 29, eleven years ago.

Hometown: Turner.

Single, relationship or married? Single, but don’t want to be. 

Children? Not yet.

When did you know you were funny? I have been a motivational speaker for over 15 years, and people would remember my jokes more than the speech. I always liked to make people laugh, and it is a very good learning tool.    

Given your disability, is it tough getting people to laugh with you? Sometimes, that is why my opening joke has to shock the audience; then they will be more apt to listen to my jokes and realize that everyone is different but very much the same.

What makes a good joke?  Life experiences, which everyone understands and relates to, make good jokes. Some of my favorite subjects are relationships and college life. 

You have cerebral palsy. What’s the biggest misconception people have about you or your abilities? There are so many things that it is hard to pick one, but it makes good comedy. I usually do not tell anybody beforehand about my disability, so the audience will be shocked. Then I shock them more with my jokes.

You use a computer-generated voice to help you deliver your lines.  Any thoughts about changing voices?  Yes, I do change voices sometimes to fit with my jokes.

You’ve been doing this for several years. Do you get frightened on stage? Not really, because I’ve been in front of audiences for over 15 years now.

How has your act changed over time? I hope I have gotten better because I have to keep up with Bob Marley!

You care a lot about Project Graduation. Where does your passion for that program come from? Comedy clubs are OK, but I am more interested in doing Project Graduation fundraisers around New England to keep our seniors safe on graduation night, which is so important.  Yes, some of my comedy has adult content; but hopefully some of my jokes will be remembered and help someone down the road.

Bob Marley is a fan of yours. Any other brushes with fame? I use to go and watch all of the UMO basketball games and Stephen King did too. He had box seats to the games, and one night he asked me to join him. I went and sat with him, even though I had better seats court side!

How do you think your disability has affected your career as a comedian? I wouldn’t say that I have a career as a comedian like Bob Marley just yet. Most comedy clubs are in old buildings, so they’re not wheelchair accessible.  

Is there anything you can’t laugh about? Not really. Laughter is good medicine and good times.

Picard’s upcoming Project Graduation show is scheduled for Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.  Tickets may be purchased from the officers of Lewiston High’s class of 2012 or at Bull Moose Music in Lewiston.

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